One NFL fan shares why he decided to launch a petition boycotting Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer after being met with over 12,600 signatures of support
13:00 ET, 19 Oct 2025
Bad Bunny
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One petitioner has shed light on why they are boycotting Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl performer
As some critics have been vocal about their disapproval of Bad Bunny headlining the 2026 Super Bowl, one NFL fan has launched an online petition boycotting the decision.
Bad Bunny - legally Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio - has been met with the great honor of being chosen to headline next year's Super Bowl halftime show, which is considered one of the most-watched concerts of the year. And while fans of the Puerto Rican rapper are thrilled by the news, some others feel as though a different artist should've been granted the opportunity.
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Some right wing critics have taken their disapproval as far as to suggest Bad Bunny should be "deported" as they continue to rage over the announcement. Now, petitioner Angel Batista has shed light on his reasoning behind why he launched one Change.org petition titled 'Replace bad bunny in the superbowl halftime show' which has already been met with over 12,600 signatures.
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In an interview with The Mirror US, the petitioner shared his reasoning for the boycott. Angel explained, "I started this petition because I care about what the Super Bowl halftime show represents."
Columbia Pictures "Caught Stealing
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Bad Bunny has been chosen as the 2026 Super Bowl performer(Image: Getty)
He continued, "It’s one of the biggest stages in the world, and the choices the NFL makes here send a message to millions of viewers. I want the focus to be on the music, the energy, and the balance of representation, not on me personally."
Sharing his response to the thousands of people that agree with his take, Angel said, "Seeing over 9,000 people sign my petition was surprising and encouraging. It shows a lot of people feel the same way, that the halftime show should be memorable and accessible to as many fans as possible."
He went on to explain that part of the reasoning why he believes Bad Bunny should not headline the show is because many of his hit songs are sung in Spanish. But fans of Bad Bunny have argued that America does not have an "official language," and many NFL fans do speak Spanish and understand his lyrics.
Bad Bunny
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Some critics have raised issue with Bad Bunny performing(Image: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
The petitioner explained, "The reason I started the petition is because Bad Bunny’s music is almost entirely in Spanish. I don’t have anything against that, but the Super Bowl halftime show is a worldwide event. It should reflect both English and Spanish audiences, not just one side."
Angel went on to add, "I don’t agree with people saying 'the U.S. has an official language.' It doesn’t. But since the majority here speak English, I think the show should blend both, not ignore either side. Diversity means inclusion, not exclusion."
Sharing his take on the halftime show last year, Angel said, "I think Kendrick Lamar’s show had a lot more universal appeal. Even if you didn’t listen to rap, you could still connect with it. Bad Bunny might put on a great performance for his fans, but most viewers won’t understand or connect with it the same way."
FILE - Bad Bunny performs at the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Fla., on Oct. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)
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One petition boycotting Bad Bunny has beet met with over 12,000 signatures(Image: AP)
After the news was announced President Donald Trump weighed in with his own opinion on the matter telling Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, "I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it — it’s, like, crazy. They blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous."
Responding to Trump's criticism, Angel said, "I saw what Trump said, and honestly, I’m not siding with him. I don’t think this is a political issue. It’s about balance and representation, not politics or party lines."
He went on to add, "I understand people not wanting politics in sports, but art and expression always come with opinions. My focus is just on making sure the show represents a mix of audiences without letting politics overshadow the performance."
And as there have been rumors that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) will be patrolling the Super Bowl stadium, Angel added, "The idea of ICE patrolling the Super Bowl is crazy to me. Nobody should have to feel unsafe going to a football game. Sports are supposed to unite people, not divide them."
Metallica
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One petitioner suggested Metallica as the Super Bowl halftime performers(Image: Getty Images for P+ and MTV)
Sharing his alternative pick for the honor, Angel suggested that Metallica would be the perfect band to take the stage.
Explaining his reasoning for his, Angel said, "If it were up to me, I’d love to see Metallica headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. They’re iconic, bring incredible energy, and put on a legendary live performance. That said, I wouldn’t mind a Latin artist having their own separate segment before Metallica — a short spotlight that adds variety without overshadowing the main act."
He concluded, "The Super Bowl halftime show should feel like an event people talk about for years. Metallica brings timeless energy and excitement, and pairing them with a brief Latin spotlight could make the whole experience both diverse and unforgettable."
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